Greg Hardy a free agent?

For most NFL players the minute you become the subject of controversy, you are pretty much radioactive from a PR standpoint.

For most NFL players the minute you become the subject of controversy, you are pretty much radioactive from a PR standpoint. Talent more or less is the exception to that rule. Guys like Greg Hardy, Adrian Peterson, and now Josh Gordon are perfect examples of players who have a ton of upside but it comes at a risky price.

Hardy was placed on the Exempt/Commissioner’s Permission List after being charged with domestic violence. Hardy was found guilty originally however requested a jury trial that was slated to start on Monday. The state’s key witness and Hardy’s ex-girlfriend made herself unavailable for the trial causing the judge to drop the charges. The NFL is slated to conduct their own review of Hardy and the situation. The NFL could feel that further justice is appropriate and could suspend Hardy for a maximum of 6 regular season games.

The Panthers placed a franchise tag on Hardy last offseason for about $13 million and he has only played in one game last season. The Panthers are expected to wash their hands of Hardy and move on, but at 26 Hardy may be in the best shape of his career. In the 2013 season Hardy accumulated 15 sacks and was one of the standout defenders that season. The Panthers not attempting to resign Hardy would bring him into the free agent frenzy that is set to take place in March.